Monday, February 13, 2012

Back home after a fabulous holiday

Well here I am back home feeling fantastic and refreshed after the best holiday ever.
Thanks to all of you who dropped in and left wishes for the happy couple. The wedding went off without a hitch. What do you think of Rachel's bridal bouquet? Isn't it gorgeous! She isn't a flowery person so she had bouquets made from flax and dyed for the bridesmaids and the men all had little buttonholes to match. And she is thrilled that she can keep them for a very long time.

The weather couldn't have been nicer, it was extremely hot with very little breeze. The best place to be was lying in the cool shade of a tree, (which I did and promptly feel asleep!)

Here are some pics of Whatipu Lodge and the grounds. All the guests stayed either in rooms or cabins or pitched their tents within the Lodge grounds. The lodge is full of history and was lovely to wander round.
The very top window of the building on the right was our room. A room with a view...
Here's the other side of that building, and this is where the ceremony took place.
There were lots of lovely decorations taken from nature. And all the trims were a teal colour, including the table dressings which happened to match my dress, wasn't that nice.
Then as all the guests gathered around it was time for Rachel's Dad to give her away to Michael.
And the serious bits took place, under the heat of the sun and with the sound of the waves in the background.
And then it was all over and it was time for congratulations and hugs and lots of smiles and feeling proud of our son (and large quantities of wine!). I was pleased I'd taken my scarf too, as it saved me from lots of sunburn.
Then the party slipped away for some photos on the beach. The pics above and below were taken by Natasha, who took some official photos for them.
All the tables were set up on one end of an old tennis court, with the other end set up for the band and dancing, (which I did lots of because the wine was so nice, haha).
And that left the cake, and it was the best chocolate cake I've ever tasted!!
And just in case you're wondering about Rachel looking a little large, she is in fact pregnant, which means I am going to be a granny in July!!! We've all known about this for ages, but I never cease to get excited about it. Our very first grandchild!

And after such a wonderful couple of days with friends and family we said our goodbyes and headed off on an extended  holiday.

Now that's another bunch of photos.
I'll be back soon to tell you about it.
Carole x


17 comments:

Linda Jo said...

What a scrumptious wedding! I DO love the bouquet!!!! ALOT!!! And the cake looks yummy...and wine ..well, you KNOW I do love that! The bride looks beautiful and the groom so handsome! Love your dress...you were gorgeous. And congrats on that sweet baby due to be born.... you are going to SOOO love it!

jacaranda said...

Congrats to the happy couple on their beautiful wedding. Congrats also to the Grandparents to be. Treasure every moment with your grandchild. Love the colours that were chose for the wedding.

Jen xo said...

oooh granny Carole, congratulations....wedding looks beautiful , loving that teal and black together.... Congrats to the happy couple too...

Lynette (NZ) said...

Lovely pic's - the bouquet is divine, and you looked gorgeous too :-) Catch up for coffee next week?....

Shane Pollard said...

Oh Carole it all sounds wonderful!
The bride looked lovely - did you have a hand in making her bouquet?

Loved your dress too Carole.

Our nephew got married at the Barrier a couple of years ago and everyone stayed at the same place where the Wedding was at Whangaparapara - we had so much fun!!!

Now back to work for you!!

Jennifer said...

What a lovely wedding....and to be followed later in the year by a baby, you are all doubly blessed! I think it's gorgeous.

Charlotte Scott said...

I thought that looked suspiciously like a baby bump! Congratulations! What a fun time you had. I had those dyed flax flowers for my wedding bouquet five years ago - and they are still in great nick.

Nicky said...

The wedding looked beautiful. Love the colours of the flowers, cake and all the details, gorgeous!

Margaret said...

awesome Carole, love the colours and what a neat idea for the bouquet! You all look fab, love your dress! Mx

Sandies' Patch said...

Lovely post.
I do like the colour theme and natural decorations.

Can't wait for the holiday pics, it's a little milder here today but, has been freezing for over a week ans some snow.

Have a great week,

Sandie xx

Unknown said...

I love the wedding photos. That cake looks delicious and so beautiful. The flowers are gorgeous too. I'm glad that you had a great time in a beautiful setting with your family. Congrats on the new little one to come.

Julie said...

What a magical place for a wedding ceremony and beautiful colours too. I love the look of that chocolate cake. Many congratualtions to your son and his lovely wife and to you all for the pending arrival of the new baby. What an exciting time you have coming up :-)

ShabbyChicShaz said...

The wedding looks amazing, I love the colour combinations and the thought and detail that has obviously gone into it all. What a wonderful way to start their married life. Congrats to you all :-) x

Joanna said...

What a beautiful day, such a joyous happy occasion. The chocolate cake looks yummy :o)

x

~*~Patty S said...

Oh so pretty in every way!
looks like a really wonderful time...you all clean up very nicely :)...hope you have that saying in NZ too ;)
Congrats and very best wishes to the lovely Bride and Groom
oxo

Raewyn said...

What a great spot for their wedding - it looks like you all had a fabulous day - and congratulations on your about-to-be-Granny news :-) (The teal touches are lovely)

Marva Plummer-Bruno said...

Oh what a beautiful ceremony! That cake looks so good, I am a chocoholic to the hilt. And huge congrats on you're going to be a grandma! How exciting!!!